Author: Abdihakim Siyad

Nairobi, Kenya  President William Ruto has declared 2026 a “watershed year in the story of the republic,” announcing that Kenya will operationalize the National Infrastructure Fund and Sovereign Wealth Fund to secure long-term growth.   “In January 2026, we will fully establish and operationalize the National Infrastructure Fund and the Sovereign Wealth Fund,” he said.  The President said all proceeds from privatization will be ring-fenced and invested only in public infrastructure.   “All proceeds from privatization will be ring-fenced and invested strictly in public infrastructure projects that generate and preserve long-term value. Every shilling invested through this fund will crowd in multiple…

NAIROBI, KENYA  ODM Party leader Oburu Odinga has said that 2026 will be a crucial year for the party as it charts its strategy ahead of the 2027 general elections, confirming that he is the constitutional presidential candidate if ODM decides to run independently. Speaking to party members, Oburu emphasized the need for unity within the party, noting that ODM is currently in broad-based arrangements with the Kenya Kwanza administration, but clarified that the party remains independent and not fully integrated with the government. “My party ODM was left by our party leader in broad-based arrangements with the Kenya Kwanza…

Nairobi, Kenya  President William Ruto says Kenya will complete major flagship facilities in 2026, including the Talanta Sports Complex and the Bomas International Convention Centre, ahead of Kenya’s preparations to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). “In this new year, we will complete the Talanta Sports Complex, ready to host major international sporting events, including the 2027 AFCON,” he said. The Talanta facility is expected to host football, athletics, and other sporting events, strengthening Kenya’s sports infrastructure. AFCON Preparation Gains Momentum With AFCON approaching, Kenya has been upgrading stadiums and sports facilities nationwide. Kenya to Host Global…

Nairobi, Kenya  President William Ruto has announced an ambitious infrastructure rollout in 2026, including the construction of a world-class airport terminal at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and the launch of the Naivasha–Narok–Bomet–Nyamira–Kisumu–Malaba Standard Gauge Railway (SGR).   In his New Year’s Eve address, President Ruto said the projects are designed to strengthen trade, tourism, and regional connectivity while positioning Kenya as East Africa’s aviation and logistics hub.   “We will begin the construction of a modern world-class airport at JKIA to anchor our nation as the aviation capital of our region,” he said.   “We will also commence the construction of the…

In 2025, Kenya was shaped by major political change, nationwide protests, economic pressure, and the death of longtime opposition leader and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. The year also saw new political alliances, major financial challenges, and social issues that sparked national debate. Major Political and National News Death of Raila Odinga Kenya lost one of its most iconic and influential political figure, when former Prime Minister and veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga died on October 15, 2025, in India at the age 80. His death left a major political gap and forced the opposition to look for new leadership after…

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has defended Israel’s decision to recognise Somaliland, describing the breakaway state as a moderate Muslim democracy that want to seek closer ties with Israel and wants to join the Abraham Accords. Netanyahu made the remarks during an interview with NewsMax while visiting Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in the United States. He said Somaliland with an estimated population of six million had shown democratic progress compared to the rest of Somalia.  According to Netanyahu, Somaliland represents a Muslim society that is moderate democratic and keen to deepen relations with Israel, and should therefore be supported by the international…

2025 was one of the most dramatic years in Somalia’s recent history marked by landmark democratic reform, escalating security conflict, and a geopolitical shock that reverberated across the Horn of Africa.  From Mogadishu’s first direct elections one man one vote in decades to Israel’s controversial recognition of Somaliland, Somalia found itself at the center of both domestic transformation and global diplomacy. 🗳️ Democratic Reform — Historic Local Elections in Mogadishu For the first time since 1969, residents of Mogadishu participated in direct local elections, replacing the long-standing clan-based selection model. District council representatives were chosen through universal suffrage voting, widely…

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has strongly dismissed accusations by a section of ODM leaders that he is meddling in the party’s internal politics ahead of the 2027 general election. Speaking during the burial of former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo, who died earlier this month in a road accident, Uhuru said that although he is a retired president, he should not be provoked or disrespected. “Mimi ni mstaafu, lakini kusema mstaafu sio kusema uniingize kidole kwa macho. Pia mimi nitakuingiza kwa sababu hatuogopi,” he said. He further urged political leaders to build their own parties, develop clear policies, and engage directly with…

Ankara In a highly anticipated press conference, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud reaffirmed the strong bilateral ties between Turkey and Somalia, emphasizing Turkey’s unwavering support for Somalia’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and development efforts. Erdogan Condemns Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu President Erdogan strongly condemned recent actions by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating that: “We defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Somali people. We will not allow any interference from Netanyahu. This is a violation. Benjamin has killed 70,000 Palestinians and attacked seven countries in the Islamic world. This is an outright violation.”…

What began as a little-noticed political dispute in the early 1990s has now evolved into one of the most sensitive geopolitical developments in the Horn of Africa. The self-declared Republic of Somaliland has operated as a de-facto independent region since 1991 yet internationally, Somalia remains recognised as a single sovereign state. Recent developments from Ethiopia’s controversial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Somaliland, to Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, to growing instability in northern Somalia have now pulled global powers, regional blocs, and the UN Security Council directly into the dispute. This article traces the story from Somaliland’s breakaway to today’s global diplomatic confrontation. A…